Living Room to put on holiday show

December 14, 2012

MARTINSBURG - Christmas is celebrated for many reasons, whether they be secular or spiritual. During this holiday season, The Living Room invites residents of the region to attend its sixth annual Christmas Experience.

Entitled "Merrily Ever After," this year's performance is a musical comedy that blends all things Christmas with all things fairy tale.

"It's like a wedding of the two things," said Beth Green, co-pastor of the church, who also worked on the script for the show.

The Living Room promotes itself as a church with a creative edge. Employing the arts to spread its message, the church delivers performances and services that are not "church as usual."

"The way we do church appeals to the arts and the nonreligious," Green said.

This year's Christmas show promises nothing less. Director Josh Jordan said audiences will experience an active show including singing, dancing and even special effects.

"Merrily Ever After" seeks to appeal to children of all ages in order to bring about reminders of the joy of Christmas, a sentiment Green and Jordan said is often forgotten. Last year's production, Green said, was more serious. The church wanted to have a touching, but light-hearted performance this year.

"I think it's just going to bring a lot of joy and laughter to the Christmas season," she said.

In addition to providing holiday entertainment for the community, The Living Room is using the event as a food drive for the Berkeley County BackPack program, a project that gives children, who may not eat a meal other than the one provided by schools, food to take home with them each weekend and holiday break.

Attendees of "Merrily Ever After" are invited to bring to the show nonperishable food items, such as microwavable meals and boxes of cereal.

Above all else, The Living Room sees its Christmas Experience as a way to reach out to the community by providing quality, family-friendly holiday entertainment.

The Living Room will have four performances of "Merrily Ever After" Saturday and Sunday. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.thelivingroom.us or in person at 50 Monroe St. within Berkeley Plaza in Martinsburg. Prices vary based on seat location. For more information, call 304-263-4787.